A very strained aviation braces for a flood of travelers this Thanksgiving.
Why is this important: Due to staffing shortages, and in some cases, outdated technology, the aviation industry has been strained lately. Even as it struggles to operate smoothly during times of normal travel, there are hiccups along the way. Needless to say, heavy travel such as Thanksgiving strains the system even more, leading many to wonder if we will see massive delays and cancellations like the ones we’ve seen over prior holidays.
Continue reading to learn more about what is anticipated for the coming Thanksgiving holiday travels, and how it is expected that the aviation industry might hold up during this very busy period.
Get Involved: Are you traveling this Thanksgiving? If so, are you planning for any delays or cancellations? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
A strained U.S. aviation system braces for a record-setting week of holiday travel
Records are likely to fall this week as millions of Americans take to the skies for Thanksgiving.
The annual rush of holiday travelers will test a U.S. aviation system that is straining to keep up with demand. But federal regulators say the system is resilient and ready.
“This year, we are seeing more people flying than ever with fewer cancellations than we have seen in years,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said at a press conference on Monday.
The Transportation Security Administration is predicting it will screen more than 30 million people during a 12-day window that started last Friday.
By KCRW
How The FAA Is Making US Holiday Air Travel More Efficient
After last year’s chaos and operational meltdowns, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are getting ahead of the holiday rush to minimize cancellations and disruption through November and December.
Over the past 12 months, the DOT and FAA have been working on redeveloping and modernizing much of the United States’ aviation infrastructure. According to the DOT, over 150 new direct routes have been added across the East Coast to reduce the need for connecting services, and military airspace around the Gulf of Mexico is set to be opened to commercial air traffic through the holiday season to reduce the amount of traffic over land.
By Molly Russell | Simple Flying
FAA Says Thanksgiving Travel Peak Will Be Tuesday
The day before Thanksgiving and the Sunday following the holiday are traditionally the busiest travel days in the US. But this year, officials expect high passenger numbers a bit earlier as airports across the country advise travelers to pack extra time with them embarking on their journey to see loved ones this week.
On Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Tuesday, November 22nd, will be one of the busiest travel days before Thanksgiving. With over 48,000 flights scheduled last Friday, November 18th, the agency said those numbers indicate that airports will see crowds increase as the holiday gets closer. According to the FAA’s Thanksgiving 2022 Air Travel Forecast, 48,082 flights across the continental US are anticipated on Tuesday, November 22nd, which is at least 1,000 more flights than any other day this week. The agency said the busiest route on Tuesday is between Washington (DCA) and Boston (BOS), with 34 scheduled flights.
By Channing Reid | Simple Flying
Secretary Pete Buttigieg warns of disrupted holiday travel as the agency pressures airlines to perform
Ahead of what is expected to be one of the busiest travel seasons in history, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg warned of potential weather-related disruptions and increased pressure on airlines to manage high passenger volumes while encouraging travelers to remember their passenger rights.
Nearly 50,000 commercial flights are expected to fly in and out of U.S. airports Wednesday, eclipsing the number of flights on the day before Thanksgiving last year.
“We want everyone to be prepared for changes due to weather,” Buttigieg said during a press conference Monday at the U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters in Washington, D.C. “Travelers should check with their airline directly for the most up-to-date information about their flights, including any delays and cancellations.”
By Caroline Tanner | The Point Guy
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Thank you for reading this week’s On Aviation™ digest. Are you traveling this Thanksgiving? If so, are you planning for any delays or cancellations? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. Remember to check out our On Aviation™ Podcast and continue the conversation on our Twitter and Instagram.
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